Dan Carter
French clubs Toulon and Racing Metro are reportedly in a
bidding war to sign All Blacks first five-eighths Dan Carter.
The Rugby Paper reported that both clubs were keen to secure
Carter's services when he takes his sabbatical before the
next Rugby World Cup.
The British publication is reporting that Racing Metro
president Jacky Lorenzetti has been in talks with Carter's
agent and is offering him a 4-million pound, three-year
contract after the 2015 World Cup.
Toulon's multi-millionaire owner Mourad Boudjellal has also
entered the bidding war.
A source told the Rugby Paper: "Boudjellal has been in
contact with Dan's representatives so it will probably come
down to a bidding war between them and Metro.
"Metro really want to bring him over and, what they have in
their favour is that, Carter is set to have a young family
and Paris would be very attractive in that regard."
Carter signed a four-year contract with the New Zealand Rugby
Union before the 2011 World Cup with the option of a second
sabbatical in it.
He was the first player to be granted dispensation to play
abroad as part of his contractual agreement with the NZRU.
He went to Perpignan in 2009 but managed only four games
before he seriously damaged an Achilles tendon.
He retained a sense of unfinished business from his French
sojourn but is close to turning 31 and the dangers of
returning to the highly physical French league in 2014 would
be considerable.
The indications at this stage are that Carter will most
likely be available for all of next year's All Blacks
programme but then possibly play in Japan from December 2013
through to February 2014 and not return to Super Rugby until
after the June test window.
The Japanese league is not known for its physicality, and its
shortness would provide Carter a nice overall mix in a
six-month sabbatical - a change of scene where he would be
well paid and able to focus on aerobic improvements and then
a period of prolonged rest.
The other option would be for Carter to follow Richie McCaw's
example and simply take a break from all rugby in the first
six months of 2014.
Whatever he decides, it would seem the one thing not likely
to happen is him being available for all Super Rugby
commitments between now and the World Cup.
- nzherald.co.nz
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